The Rattlers' offense sputtered throughout the first half Saturday night before quarterback Nick Davila and his receivers found a rhythm to keep their hopes of hosting a first-round playoff game alive.

NFL "relief pitchers," continue to be a hot commodity in the early going this season. Ineffectiveness and injury often leads to replacement quarterbacks unexpectedly crouching behind center. Only 16 NFL quarterbacks started every game last season and more than 50 started at least once.

The father of New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel has died. Coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday that Greg Cassel died Monday night and Matt has left the team. Belichick said he didn't know when the player would return.

Matt Cassel hasn't been the starting quarterback since his senior year at Chatsworth (Calif.) High School, and no amount of time there or as a backup at USC got him ready to play "Meet the Press" this week in Foxborough. So he wasn't exactly comfortable as he addressed reporters as the New England Patriots' starting quarterback.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he's in no rush to sign a new quarterback. Belichick spoke Tuesday, one day after losing MVP Tom Brady for the season with a knee injury. The coach said quarterbacks Tim Rattay and Chris Simms were in Foxborough on Monday, but they didn't work out or take physicals.